Video game console sales have fallen sharply in the US this year, with both PlayStation 5 and Xbox hardware suffering major year-over-year declines through the end of August 2026.
According to Circana data shared by industry analyst Mat Piscatella, Xbox hardware unit sales are down 33% year-to-date, while PlayStation hardware sales have fallen 25% compared with the same period last year.
Xbox Hits an All-Time Low
Circana says Xbox hardware sales in the US have now fallen to their lowest level since the brand launched nearly 25 years ago.
PlayStation hardware is also struggling, with sales at their lowest point since 2013, when many buyers delayed purchases ahead of the launch of the PlayStation 4.
The latest figures point to a broader slowdown in the US console market rather than weakness affecting only one manufacturer.
Higher Prices Are Hurting Demand
Piscatella said price sensitivity is becoming an increasingly serious problem for console buyers.
Both Microsoft and Sony have raised hardware prices significantly as component costs and broader economic pressures have increased.
Microsoft has raised Xbox pricing several times over the past two years.
The Xbox Series S 512GB now costs $499.99, while the 1TB model costs $599.99.
The Xbox Series X Digital Edition has climbed to $749.99, while the version with a disc drive now costs $799.99.
Microsoft has also discontinued its 2TB model.
PS5 Prices Have Also Climbed Sharply
Sony has similarly increased PlayStation 5 prices.
The PS5 Digital Edition now costs $599.99, while the standard model with a disc drive is priced at $649.99.
The more powerful PS5 Pro has reached $899.99.
Sony has also raised the price of the PlayStation Portal from its original $199.99 launch price to $249.99.
Even refurbished hardware has become more expensive, with refurbished PS5 Slim models increasing by around $100.
PS5 Pro Shortages Push Used Prices Even Higher
The situation is particularly extreme for the PS5 Pro.
New units remain difficult to find at the official price, pushing second-hand prices significantly higher.
GameStop has reportedly listed refurbished PS5 Pro consoles at $1,399, almost $500 above the official price of a new unit.
Other retailers and online marketplaces have also seen heavily inflated prices because of limited supply.
Console Market Faces Growing Pressure
Rising hardware prices are arriving at the same time as broader increases in living costs, making expensive gaming consoles less of a priority for some households.
Piscatella described the US console hardware market as being in one of its most precarious positions since the early 1980s.
The upcoming holiday season could provide some relief, while major game releases such as GTA VI may also encourage hardware purchases.
For now, however, the numbers show that sharply higher prices are coinciding with one of the steepest declines the US console market has seen in years.
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